U.S. Bankruptcy Courts

Rick Brooks, Hero Of 1990s `Zero-Down' Bankruptcy Court Expose, Has Died

See Also: DEBT IN THE WATER: "ZERO-DOWN " BANKRUPTCY FIRMS COST THEIR CLIENTS PLENTY Now and then in this line of work, you come upon a source so impassioned about his point of view on a volatile subject that you just have to slow him or her down. Such was the case in the early 1990s when a bankr ... More >>

Cowboy Ciao Files for Bankruptcy

See also: Marianne Belardi Says Goodbye After 15 years See also: Cowboy Ciao Somm Throwdown On Friday, June 29, Peter Kasperski, owner of Cowboy Ciao in Old Town Scottsdale, filed Chapter 11 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Arizona. According to records, he owes $1.1 million to the Arizona De ... More >>

Sheriff Joe Arpaio's Pricey D.C. Lawyers Now on RICO Suit, Too

Joe Arpaio just asked his pricey D.C. lawyers at Alston & Bird to intervene in the crappiest racketeering lawsuit ever filed.​Just in case you were worried that Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas aren't wasting enough money on their jihad against other county officia ... More >>

Hot Links: Missing Snowboarder, the Mesa Police Chief, and Storms

​Last night's storms have prompted a search for a child swept away by floodwaters. The storm was the worst Arizona has seen in 17 years and closed all major highways leading out of Flagstaff. Several hikers were stranded in the wilderness despite Governor Jan Brewer's declaration of a state of ... More >>

Hot Links: Gretzky Sits Out, Roosevelt Fires, and Parsley Recall

​The Phoenix Coyotes ice hockey team started training camp on Saturday without coach Wayne Gretzky. While awaiting the decision of a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in the sale of the team and team ownership, "The Great One" Gretzky thought it better to "sit back for a few days and evaluate," accordin ... More >>

Hot Links: Uranium Mining, Balsillie in Court, and SRP Rates

​Uranium mining could resume near the Grand Canyon this year, after the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality issued an air-quality permit to Denison Mines. The company plans to work the Arizona 1 mine, which hasn't been mined for two decades. Conservationists and Native American groups oppo ... More >>

Hot Links: Phoenix Coyotes, DUIs, and Cornville Bears

The Phoenix Coyotes will stay in Glendale -- for now. Yesterday, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge ruled against a proposal to let Blackberry CEO Jim Balsillie buy the team and relocate it to Canada. The NHL hopes for a September 10 auction for bidders who'd like to keep the Coyotes in Glendale...A ... More >>

Mortgages Ltd. Investors Won’t Get Paid for Months

Court House Scoundrels

Unsuspecting consumers are getting ripped off by the hundreds. The Supereme Court is working to stop this unauthorized practice of law.

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From the week of April 5, 2001

Union Dues

Federal judge rules Fife Symington must repay millions to pension funds

Accountants Down

State files more charges against Arthur Andersen in BFA scandal

Feds Will Retry Symington on Criminal Counts, Sources Say

He's Back

Ex-governor Symington seems blissful despite the damning evidence that mounts at his bankruptcy trial. What's up his sleeve?

The Moneychangers

A New Times Investigation First in a Series

Out with the old

he 80-somethings at retirement home Desert Crest face eviction. But that's just business, says the home's owner--which happens to be an agency of the Roman Catholic church.

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Fife's History

It took years, and some luck, to unravel Symington's web of deceit

License to Bill

Going for Broke

Dick Berry claims his bankruptcy services are cheaper than an attorney's, and just as effective. While court officials and many customers agree it's a scam conceived by white-collar felons, those who would shut him down are discovering they don't know Dic

Sugar Mommy

Martha Symington's lawyer tells jury of governor's profligacy

Bankers Dozin'

Testimony at the governor's criminal trial and a new civil complaint suggest that First Interstate helped Symington dupe other lenders

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The Mexican Connection

How Governor Symington misused state resources to further the cross-border business interests of his friends and family.

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Cult Expert Must Pay

Nationally known deprogrammer loses bid to discharge $3.4 million civil debt

A Cinematic Affair

Scottsdale's Steven McKay is an accomplished Hollywood screenwriter. His legal war with an ex-lover is as melodramatic as any B-movie.

Honey, Would You Pass the Money?

Sealed testimony by Symington's wife shows couple mixed funds; she bailed governor out repeatedly

For Their Eyes Only

Tentative pact would seal some records in Symington bankruptcy case

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Making Accuracy "Irrelevant"

The governor's lawyer explains when it's okay to tell a lender you're worth millions when you're actually broke

First Interstate Blank Check

Bank gave governor loan write-downs, despite evidence of false financial statements

A Sitting Duck

Symington's conflicting financial statements provide creditors with plenty of ammo

Gasket Case

During her 14-year marriage to an auto-parts mogul, Denise Hrudka lived in the lap of luxury. Then her husband stood up.

PAYING THE PIPERA KICKBACK RAISES NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT SYMINGTON AND THE MERCADO

CURTAINS FOR WARNER'S?THERE'S NOTHING CHINTZY ABOUT WHAT'S AT STAKE AS INTERIOR DESIGNERS, BANKERS, LAWYERS SQUARE OFF IN AN UGLY FIGHT OVER A LONGTIME VALLEY DESIGN FIRM

THE STEALTH IRAQI

JAWAD HASHIM CLAIMS HE'S A BANKRUPT VICTIM OF A VENDETTA BY HIS FORMER BOSS--IRAQ'S FEARED PRESIDENT, SADDAM HUSSEIN. A WEALTH OF EVIDENCE SUGGESTS HASHIM'S JUST ANOTHER SCAM ARTIST WHO WOUND UP IN SCOTTSDALE.

THE REAL COST OF GOING BROKE

JUDGE TAKES A HARD LOOK AT BANKRUPTCY LAW FIRMS THAT CHARGE "ZERO-DOWN"

GO FOR BROKE

AS AMERICA WEST GOES, SO GO PHOENIC AND TEMPE? GULP.